KALAMAZOO, MI – Charles Harris’ recovery from a knee injury prevented the Western Michigan University freshman wing from hitting the ground running at the outset of the season.

Once the 6-foot-3 guard/forward finally got a little footing, he suffered an injury to his non-shooting shoulder. Harris has not been fully cleared to play in a game since he saw six minutes Dec. 22 against Mount St. Mary’s.

Because of those two injury setbacks and Harris losing out on valuable experience, the Antioch, Ill., native and WMU’s program have opted to take a medical redshirt.

“He decided it late last week for sure. He tried the shoulder out and it’s still tender, it’s still an issue,” WMU coach Steve Hawkins said about Harris, who could have brought a little more athleticism to the Broncos’ rotation.

Harris has played 33 total minutes, and averaged 2.0 points and 1.2 rebounds.

Freshmen Kellen McCormick (6-8 forward) and Von Washington (6-0 guard) redshirted early this season for the Broncos.

“If you’re going to lose somebody to an injury, it was best when we lost him,” Hawkins said. “The thing that you don’t to happen is like David Brown’s injuries – it was awful. Charles is one of those guys that got hurt early enough in the year where he could take advantage of that medical redshirt. If there’s a silver lining, then that’s it.

“And with him coming off of a knee injury last year, yeah, it’s probably best because he didn’t get a chance to train for Europe (August trip) and get in the time there so he came in a little raw. And then it took him a while to get on the court. Now he’ll have a much better idea what he’s doing when he steps on the floor next year as a (redshirt) freshman as opposed to a freshman.”